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The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

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The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin
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  • Episode 16: Trent Dalton, Melanie Lynskey and Ken Follett
    In the latest episode of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, we hear from multi award winning and delightful Australian author Trent Dalton on his latest book, Gravity Let Me Go. He also celebrated his theatre production coming to Auckland. Francesca catches up with Kiwi actress Melanie Lynskey. She's taking Hollywood by storm with a starring role in Yellowjackets but came home to star in the new Pike River film. Plus we learn the art of writing historical novels from the iconic Ken Follett. Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin brings you the best interviews from Newstalk ZB's The Sunday Session. Listen on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  • Bill Bailey: comedian, musician, actor speaks ahead of Vaudevillian tour
    UK comedian and actor Bill Bailey is set to start his next tour of New Zealand in the coming days, and he's spoken of his love for the nation. His brand-new show Vaudevillian kicks off in Queenstown and he's revealed how excited he is to tour the 'beautiful country. "There's a lot about it that I love...the sort of things New Zealand offers are the sorts of things I would seek out in any country that I have a bit of spare time in." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  • Paul Henry: broadcaster on his return to TV in New Zealand's version of The Chase
    Paul Henry's been a regular presence on New Zealand screens and he's come out of retirement to take on his most anticipated hosting job yet. He is set to host New Zealand's own version of The Chase - the long-running UK-based game show that Kiwis tune into every week. Ahead of this version dropping to TVNZ next month, Henry says it's 'daunting' taking on a project like this. "The show is already so popular in New Zealand, but what's really popular is the British Chase. And we're not doing the British Chase, we're doing the New Zealand Chase." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  • Francesca Rudkin: Why are there more musical biopics these days?
    Yesterday on Jack Tame’s show, I was talking about the new Springsteen film - Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere - and Jack asked me why there have been so many music biopics recently? It got me thinking about how musicians and their origin stories and struggles with fame have always made for good films, and we’ve always made them. But Jack is right, there have been quite a few biopics about musicians recently - think Better Man about Robbie Williams, A Complete Unknown about Bob Dylan, Bob Marley: One Love, Back to Black about Amy Winehouse, Maria about Maria Callas … and there’s plenty more on the way. In 2028, each Beatle is getting their own film, thanks to director Sam Mendes. The truth of the matter is probably that they make money. Marvel and comic book superhero cinema dominance is cooling off, and so in recent years Hollywood has turned to the music biopic genre to replace it. It makes sense really. Like comic book heroes, many of these artists lives are steeped in mythology perfect to mine for drama, their stories are part of pop culture. And apart from paying for music rights - they aren’t too expensive to make. And, we love them. We love the comfort of their familiarity and a bit of nostalgia. The music industry also love music biopics, it’s a wonderful way for the industry to reconnect an artist with their audience and create new fans. The Springsteen movie is about the making of his acoustic, folk inspired album Nebraska. I listened to the album in the car on the way home from watching the film. Tick, job done. For me, the genre was revitalised with 2005’s Walk the Line, which told the story of flawed genius Johnny Cash and his wife June’s relationship. It told it - warts and all. Around that time, Ray, about Ray Charles, was also released, as was Control, the story of the troubled life and times of Ian Curtis, lead singer of new wave band Joy Division. Since then, we have been tapping our toes and reliving our own relationships with the music of Elvis, Elton John, Freddie Mercury and NWA. As popular as the genre is, and as much as we enjoy the ride, it’s tricky for filmmakers to get these films right. Artists' stories often follow the same narrative beats so can be samey, but it can be risky taking a unique approach. Taking on a lead role can be rewarding for actors in awards season, but fans are judgy when watching an interpretation of their heroes. Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere is a good case in point. Aside from a few concert scenes, mostly we watch Springsteen record an album in his bedroom and studio while slipping into depression. It’s hardly a glossy, mainstream rollicking ride. If you’re looking for something to watch this long weekend, and watching Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen isn’t your thing, then hunt out some of our own music stories - which have been turned into excellent documentaries. Marlon Williams: Ngā Ao E Rua - Two Worlds, The Chills: The Triumph & Tragedy of Martin Phillipps, Alien Weaponry - Thrash Metal and Te Reo Māori, Shihad - Beautiful Machine, Heavenly Pop Hits - The Flying Nun Story. So many good choices. It’s also worth noting Life in One Chord - the Shayne Carter story - will be available to rent from DOC PLAY from November 6th. All beautifully told stories that enrich our lives. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  • Whitcoulls Recommends: The Widow and Gone Before Goodbye
    The Widow by John Grisham. Simon Latch is a small time, small town lawyer in Virginia, whose marriage is falling apart, his gambling is out of control, and his legal practice is on the verge of going under. Then an elderly widow arrives on his doorstep, to say that her husband left her millions of dollars in shares, which she wants to keep out of the hands of her estranged stepsons and as she no longer trusts the lawyer who drafted her current will, she wants Simon to help her. He thinks this is the golden ticket that could turn his life around….until she dies in a car crash and he finds himself accused of murder. It’s terrific Grisham - less courtroom drama than some of his earlier novels but plenty of intrigue nonetheless. Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben. These two have collaborated on a novel about a highly skilled surgeon who has been disgraced and can no longer practice, and whose husband has been murdered in the war zone where they used to work together. She’s approached by a former colleague to take a job with an oligarch who requires complete anonymity and confidentiality and in return will re-establish her credentials, and pay handsomely for her service. The story moves from war zones and refugee camps, and America to Russia and Dubai where there are wheels within wheels, no one can be trusted, and the tension ratchets up as hidden truths are exposed and the secrets of this underworld are brought to light. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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About The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

News, opinion, analysis, lifestyle and entertainment – we’ve got your Sunday morning listening covered with The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin on Newstalk ZB.
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